Your people may have all the expertise in the world, but it is unlikely that they will use their complete potential if they are not motivated. It is workplace motivation that transforms skills into outstanding performance and propels teams towards success.
The first time I was asked what I wanted to become, I answered, “an astronaut”. After a year or two, my answer was a lawyer. Well, I did win all the arguments with Mom and Dad. The year after that, my answer changed to an event manager. The idea of creating magical moments for people and getting paid for it sounded blissful, but I ‘only’ lacked creativity.
Then came the reality check. All I wanted was a fat paycheque. That’s when I realized I wanted to join my father’s business. So I started to take the initiative at every opportunity to learn all about how to manage a business and poured my heart into it.
As a passionate and curious teen, I wanted to pursue every new possibility that I came across. However, after I developed self-awareness and understood what motivates me, I could finally pursue one work area.
By recognizing the diverse forces that drive our employees, we can tailor work experiences that resonate with their individual needs and aspirations. This, in turn, becomes the foundation for a thriving workplace where each member feels valued, engaged, and driven to contribute their best. It’s in this symphony of aligned motives that workplace motivation truly flourishes.
At a workplace, an employee’s performance is a function of ability, motivation, and opportunity. Therefore, assessing motives facilitates evaluating the fit between an individual, the organization, and the job role.
There are three dimensions to motives in a workplace: Individual, Social, and Work motives.
1. Individual
This dimension focuses on personal accomplishments and expression. It can be classified into:
- Achievement Motive — People driven by achievement motive often go the extra mile to do impactful work. They take the initiative and responsibility personally. Those with this motive also like a sense of challenge and accomplishment and therefore set their goals and go after them. They are hardworking, focused, and ready to learn, grow and progress.
- Autonomy Motive — People driven by autonomy motive are independent and creative. Such people prefer to make their own decisions rather than use a consensus approach and have an individualistic approach that often leads to new ways of thinking and doing things. They dislike interference and being told what to do.
2. Social
This dimension focuses on interactions with peers. It can be classified into two motives.
- Power and Influence Motive: People driven by power motive influence the behaviour of others. They like to lead and guide the actions of others and prefer leadership roles. They like to influence decisions, take charge and look for opportunities to exercise authority and control. At work, they enjoy spending time with higher-level managers and leaders. In addition, they are very interested in advancement and like to think that their work has an impact.
- Relationship Motive: People driven by relationship motive seek opportunities to build strong relationships and serve others. They are most happy when working with others and can build rapport effortlessly. Such people like to organize social activities, collaborate, and prefer group consensus, like harmony and comfortable relationships. In addition, they are quite approachable and often develop healthy relationships with people at work.
3. Work Environment
This dimension focuses on the work setting. It can be classified into two motives.
- Security Motive: People driven by the security motive seek environments that provide security and stability. They prefer clear expectations and defined tasks, and shy away from uncertain or ambiguous projects. They’re loyal employees, seeking job security and a steady income. In short, they thrive in environments that offer a sense of safety and stability.
- Balance and Comfort Motive: People driven by the comfort motive thrive in low-stress environments that offer variety. Balance, for them, extends beyond just work to all aspects of life. So, while enjoying well-defined tasks, they appreciate occasional shifts and challenges that keep things fresh. This focus on comfort and engagement fuels their productivity – they shine when stress is low and their work-life blend feels just right. Naturally, they prioritize comfortable workplaces and cultivate diverse interests outside of work, radiating a relaxed and easy-going demeanor.
Out of these six motives, every individual has one dominant motive, which acts as the primary driver in choosing an area of work and an organization to work for.
Workplace motivation is more than just a concept; it drives good employees to do great things. Therefore, understanding the importance of motivation within your workforce is essential for running a successful business.
The ROI of Measuring Workplace Motivation
When an employer understands employees’ motives, it leads to:
- A better understanding of employees’ interests,
- Better performance and productivity.
- Lesser turnover and attrition rates and
- Smooth internal mobility.
Workplace motivation is essential to embrace one’s potential. Motivated people enjoy their jobs and perform well.
Therefore, make sure you identify the primary motivating factor of your candidates during recruitment. PerspectAI has got your back with scientific and easy-to-administer tools to assess multiple dimensions of a candidate’s personality, including what motivates them.
Sign up for a demo with us today to understand how we can help you find the right talent for the right job.
